Folding table



April 1934- J. D. GALLANT 1,955,492

FOLDING TABLE Filed July 31, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l I 11/ 2 g 4 i gmentoz 707272.50 QaZZanZ di fer/M April 17, 1934. J. GALLANT 1,955,492

FOLDING TABLE Filed July 31, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 a.. \i(. 1\ \xwmm x \Y 1a 7 g 61 3%,33 C30 28 31 (faint fl dallani Patented Apr. 17, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT CFFICE FOLDING TABLE a corporation of Maine Application July 31, 1931, Serial No. 554,328

4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in folding tables of the light, portable type commonly employed for card playing and similar purposes.

Objects of the invention are to provide improved means for attaching the legs to the frame and bracing the frame at the corner portions thereof, to provide for pivotally connecting the legs to both of the adjoining sides of the frame at the corner portions to afford firm pivotal mountings for the legs on the frame and a strong, serviceable construction, and at the same time to provide for spacing the legs inwardly from both sides of the frame at the corners for compact folding of the legs substantially parallel with the sides of the frame and for clearance for leg bracing means.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved leg bracing means for bracing the legs transversely of their pivots as well as laterally at right angles to their pivotal planes, to provide improved double bracing means of this character, which will be strong, durable and efficient in use, and in which the brace members are relatively short so as to aiford substantially more leg room for the players. Important novel characteristics of the leg bracing means resides in the special guiding and locking means provided on the sides of the frame for one of the sets of braces, and in the particular construction and connection of the pairs of brace members to the legs whereby there is less wear and looseness between the parts and the braces cooperate to better advantage.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of a table constructed in accordance with the present invention, the legs being in folded position.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation, the legs being unfolded.

Fig. 3 is a detail side elevation, on an enlarged scale, with parts shown in section, of one of the legs and its braces, the leg being shown in Luifolded position.

Fig. 4 is a detail section on the line 44 of Figure 3, and

Fig. 5 is a detail part section and plan of a portion of the table and one of the legs and its braces, the leg being shown in folded position.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings, it will of course be understood that changes and modifications may be made in the particular construction shown, and the invention may be embodied in other forms, as will appeal to those skilled in the art and falling within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to a detailed description of the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, 1 designates a rectangular shaped top supporting frame composed of bars of wood suitably secured together at their ends, and 2 is the top of paper board or the like secured to the frame 1. 3 designates reinforcing strips for the top secured thereto at the under side thereof in any suitable way. The legs 4 are pivotally connected with the frame 1 adjacent the corner portions thereof to fold within the same substantially parallel with and relatively close to the sides thereof as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings.

In accordance with the present invention bracket members 5 are provided for pivotally connecting the legs 4 with the frame. Each bracket member 5 includes a flat plate part 6 secured to one side of the frame against the inner face thereof, and a part disposed at right angles to the part 6 having portions 7, 8, secured to the inner face of the adjoining side of the frame, and an intermediate part of general U- shaped form comprising inwardly extending leg portions 9, 10, and a central portion 11, the latter being offset inwardly from and extending parallel with one side of the frame, and the U-shaped part being spaced inwardly from the adjoining side of the frame.

Each leg 4 is pivotally secured by a pivot pin 12 to one of the bracket members 5 against the outer face of the portion 11 thereof, the construction providing for pivotally attaching the legs to both sides of the frame 1 at the corner portion and at the same time spacing the legs inwardly from both adjacent sides of the frame to afford clearance for leg bracing means, hereinafter described, and to provide spaces or pockets between the sides of the frame 1 and the pivoted end portions of the legs 4 to receive the free end portions of the legs when folded so that the legs can be compactly folded, as shown, substantially parallel with and relatively close alongside the sides of the frame 1. As will be understood, the bracket members 5 connecting adjoining sides of the frame, serve to brace the frame at the corner portions, the portion 6 of each of the brackets being of a length to extend well alongside the side of the frame. The bracket members 5 are secured to the sides of the frame by screws 13 or equivalent fastening members, and are preferably, as shown, constructed from a flat strip of metal bent to the form illustrated.

14 designates braces for bracing the legs 4 laterally at substantially right angles to their pivotal planes, each of said braces being connected at one end to one of the legs 4, extending laterally therefrom at an inclination and being pivotally connected at its outer end. to a bracket 15 on the frame 1 in line with the pivot 12 of the leg a substantial distance to one side thereof inwardly of the position of the legs when folded. Each of the braces 14 are shown as formed of a strip of metal, the same comprising a main fiat part and twisted and offset end portions 16, 17 for connection respectively with one of the brackets 15 and one of the legs 4.

Braces 13 are provided for bracing the legs 4 tran versely of their pivots, each brace 18 being pivotally connected at one end to one of the legs 4 and having a pivotal sliding connection at its other end with one of the bars of the frame 1. The braces 18 each consist of a stout flat strip of spring metal. The braces 18 and the braces 14 of each leg 4 are connected therewith by a pin 19. The pin 19 is formed as a separate part from the braces and is tightly fitted in an opening in the leg with end portions thereof projecting from opposite sides of the leg. The offset end portion 17 of each of the braces 14 is apertured to engage the pin 19, and one end of each of the braces 18 is apertured to provide a bearing to engage the pin 19 and provide a free pivotal connection between said brace and the pin 19, the end portion 17 of the brace let being arranged at one side of the leg, and the end portion of the brace 18 being disposed at the opposite side of the leg, said pin being shown provided with a head 19 at one end and a retaining head or enlargement 19 at its other end formed by upsetting a portion of the metal thereof. 20, 21 designate washers on the pin 19 interposed between the ends of the braces and opposite sides of the leg.

In accordance with the present invention metal guides for the braces 18 are provided on the sides of the frame 1 each comprising a flat back plate 22 and a front plate 23, the latter having a laterally depressed or offset part 24 substantially U- shape in cross section providing an inner longitudinally extending channel 25, and said front plate having a longitudinally extending guide slot 26.

Each brace 18 at one end is provided with a laterally extending pin or stud 2'7 adapted to project into and slidably engage the guide slot 26 of one of the guides with the outer end of the pin in sliding engagement with the inner face of the back plate 22. On each pin or stud 27, intermediate its ends, is a head or enlarged part 28 adapter to slide within the inner channel 25 of the guide and cooperate with wall portions of the front plate 23 to retain the pin or stud 27 in engagement with the guide. The back plate 22 of each of the guides is provided with a small opening therethrough forming a locking recess or socket 29 adapted to receive and retain the inner end portion of the stud 27 when the leg 4 is moved to unfolded position. The locking recess or socket 29 is located at a point opposite one end of the guide slot 26, one end wall of the guide slot being disposed in transverse alignment with one side wall of said recess or socket and serving to prevent the pin or stud 27 from overrunning the recess or socket in the opening movement of the leg. The guide slot 26 of each of the guides is provided with an enlarged part 30 of sufiicient size to permit the head or enlarged part 28 of the pin or stud 27 to pass therethrough and providing for the ready insertion into and withdrawal of the pin or stud 27 from the inner channel 25 of the guide. The enlarged part 30 of the guide slot 26 is located near one end portion of the guide so that the head or enlarged part 28 on the pin or stud 27 will occupy a position opposite the same when the leg has been moved to nearly closed position, as illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 3 of the drawings, and is disposed at an angle to the guide so that the same does not interfere with the grasping of the brace end by the fingers and the movement of the brace end laterally to move the pin or stud 27 laterally into or out of engagement with the inner channel 25 of the guide.

As shown in the drawings, the back plate 22 and front plate 23 of the guides are preferably formed as separate parts, the marginal side and end portions of the front plate fitting flat upon the back plate, and said plates being secured together and to the inner side of the frame 1 by screws 31 or similar fastening members passing through openings in end portions of the plates and entering the sides of the frame.

The braces 18 are bent or bowed intermediate their ends, as shown, so that through their lateral resiliency, the opposite end portions of the braces tend to spring outwardly in opposite directions exerting pressure laterally at their ends against the legs and guides on the frame 1, said braces serving to hold the legs firmly in unfolded position, and also through their lateral resiliency and the pressure exerted laterally thereby, acting to take up any lost motion due to possible looseness in the connections of the parts.

The pairs of braces 14, 18, are, as shown, relatively short, a substantial increase in leg room for the players being thus provided.

The particular construction and arrangement of parts hereinbefore described, provides efficient leg bracing means. The guiding and locking means for the braces is of a strong, serviceable, satisfactory nature, the guiding means acting to positively maintain the lateral extensions of the braces in engagement with the guide slots and at the same time permitting of the ready disengagement or" the brace ends from the guides for adjusting the spring tension of the braces or for other purposes.

The special form of connection of the braces with the legs involving the use of the connecting pin formed as a separate part from the braces and tightly fitting the leg opening, is important in that wear and looseness between the parts is avoided, and the braces function to more firmly support the legs. While the braces are so short asto give substantially more leg room for the players, the particular construction and arrangement of parts is such that the braces are very efficient in rigidly supporting the table legs.

What I claim is:

1. In a folding table, a top supporting frame, a leg pivoted to the frame, a guide on the side of the frame having a metal front plate and a rear wall with an inner longitudinally extending channel therebetween, the rear wall being provided with a locking recess, the front plate being provided with a longitudinally extending guide slot intermediate its side edges, a transversely resilient brace having a pivotal connection at one end with the leg and having at its other end a laterally extending portion slidably engaging the guide slot, said laterally extending portion being provided with an enlarged annular retaining portion or head intermediate its ends slidable within the inner channel, the inner end portion of the laterally extending portion being adapted to engage the locking recess in the rear wall of the guide when the leg is moved to open position.

2. In a folding table, a top supporting frame, a leg pivoted to the frame, a metal guide on the side of the frame comprising a fiat back plate, a front plate having a lateral offset part with flat marginal portions fitting against the back plate, said offset part forming an inner longitudinally extending channel, the back plate being provided with a locking socket therein, and the offset part of the front plate having a longitudinally extending guide slot, fastening members extending through marginal portions of the plates and securing the same together and to the side of the frame, and a transversely resilient brace having a pivotal connection at one end with the leg and having at its other end a laterally extending portion slidably engaging the guide slot, said laterally extending portion having a retaining head slidable in said inner channel of the guide.

3. In a folding table, a top supporting frame, a leg pivoted to the frame, a metal guide on the frame comprising a fiat back plate, a front plate having fiat marginal portions and an intermediate offset part providing an inner longitudinally extending channel between the plates, the back plate being provided with a locking recess therein, and the laterally ofi'set part of the front plate having a longitudinally extending guide slot, one end wall of said guide slot being disposed in transverse alignment with a side wall of said locking recess and a transversely resilient brace having a pivotal connection at one end with the leg and having at its other end a laterally extendingpin slidably engaging said guide slot, said pin being provided intermediate its ends with a retaining head slidable in the inner channel of the guide, the inner end portion of said pin being adapted to engage the locking recess when the leg is moved to open position.

4. In a folding table, a top supporting frame, a leg pivoted to the frame, said frame having a guide on the side thereof comprising a metal front plate secured to the side of the frame and provided with a longitudinally extending guide slot therein, and an inner longitudinally extending channel at the rear of said plate, a brace having a pivotal connection at one end with the leg and having at its other end a laterally ex tending portion slidably engaging the guide slot, said laterally extending portion being provided with an enlarged retaining head slidable within the inner channel, the guide slot having an enlarged part intermediate its ends permitting the retaining head to be passed therethrough and providing for engagement of the laterally extending portion of the brace with and disengagement of the same from the guide.

JOHN D. GALLANT. 

